Cool-headed Paul McLoughlin, of Bingley, answered the ultimate '$64,000 question' - and scooped a big money prize in TV's Who Wants to be a Millionaire show.

He was today toasting his good fortune after picking up £64,000 in winnings from the ITV quiz show hosted by Chris Tarrant.

Mr McLoughlin, a part-time nurse and student in health studies at Bradford and Ilkley College, now plans to spend his winnings with his Canadian wife Jenny - who also works as a nurse - buying a new dream home in Saltaire, having a holiday in Canada and investing in a new Audi car.

Viewers of the game show witnessed a tense display as Paul used up the three 'lives' allowed in the game's rules, early on.

Stumped by a question about 'the devil's bones', he used up one of his jokers by asking to ring his stepfather Terry Armitage - who duly provided the correct answer, dice.

"It was my stepdad who kept me in the game, really. I had no idea," said 29-year-old Paul. "I'm not one of these pub quiz-type people who knows everything, but I like the odd game of Trivial Pursuit."

Delighted Jenny, who was watching in the studio audience, was invited down to the stage by Chris Tarrant to jointly receive the winnings.

After the show the couple spent £100 on a round of drinks for all the other contestants before celebrating with parents June and Terry, brothers Shaun and David and sister Sheelagh back home at the Merry Melons pub in Bolton Lane, Bradford.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.